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How much does it cost to run an air compressor? ($3.83/mo)
Running an air compressor costs about $3.83 / month
($0.13/day at 0.5 h/day, $0.17/kWh).
($0.13/day at 0.5 h/day, $0.17/kWh).
Running cost calculator
Per hour—
Per day—
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Energy/mo—
An air compressor's motor spikes sharply when the pump kicks in, so its starting watts matter more than its running watts.
Cost at different electricity rates
| Electricity rate | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10/kWh | $0.08 | $2.25 | $27.38 |
| $0.15/kWh | $0.11 | $3.37 | $41.06 |
| $0.20/kWh | $0.15 | $4.50 | $54.75 |
| $0.25/kWh | $0.19 | $5.63 | $68.44 |
| $0.30/kWh | $0.22 | $6.75 | $82.12 |
| $0.40/kWh | $0.30 | $9.00 | $109.50 |
Cost over time
| Per hour of use | $0.26 |
| Per day (0.5 h) | $0.13 |
| Per month | $3.83 |
| Per year | $46.54 |
How to spend less
- Run it fewer hours or on an eco / lower setting.
- Upgrade to a more efficient model (check the energy label).
- Use a smart plug or timer to kill standby and idle draw.
Want the raw figure? See how many watts an air compressor uses.
FAQ
How many watts does an air compressor use?
Roughly 1000-2400 running watts, with a much higher surge at startup.
Why does my compressor trip breakers?
The startup surge can briefly double the running draw, tripping a marginal circuit.
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